In Karkala, teachers monitor SSLC students through calls

Mangaluru: Karkala taluk had launched several innovative programmes during the academic year to ensure that students performed well in the SSLC exams. The taluk is aiming at 100% results. Block education officer (BEO) GS Shashidhar had launched ‘Mane Mana Bheti’ programme under Mission-100 Karkala and top officials of the district including the MLA V Sunil Kumar, deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha and DDPI Sheshashayana Karinja visited homes of students appearing for SSLC exams between 5am-7am and 7pm-9pm to instil confidence among them and also interact with parents. Preparations were almost done, but the exams had to be postponed because of the pandemic.
However, the department has not given up. Though teachers are on Covid-19 duty and the BEO himself is a nodal officer and has the responsibility of making arrangements for migrants entering the district, the education department has taken steps to stay in touch with the students. Teachers including headmasters, headmistress and assistant teachers have been asked to call students everyday and check on the progress of their studies. “We have asked teachers to keep a tab on the progress of the students by calling them up everyday and check if they have difficulty in any subject. School heads and assistant teachers have been asked to keep a record on the calls made on Google sheets and maintain a diary on the number of calls made every day and a gist of their interaction with the students,” Shashidhar told TOI.
The programme is being monitored by the BEO and Mission 100 nodal officer Venkatramana Kalkura and the technical team is led by Shivaprasad Adiga, assistant teacher, Government High School, Suda.
“Teachers have taken a lot of initiatives to help the students during these difficult times. They discuss questions and answers on WhatsApp. In rural places and interior areas like Kabbinale and Muniyalu where only basic phones work, teachers are calling and even interacting with parents,” the BEO said.
Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar released a motivational video message addressing students. Students are encouraged to follow the ‘Makkalavani’ on YouTube and revision classes on DD Chandana. Some teachers have also come forward to take up online classes. Over 2,500 students will appear for SSLC exams from the taluk.